Mónica Cruz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mónica Cruz
Cruz in 2010
Born	Mónica Cruz Sánchez (1977-03-16) 16 March 1977 (age 48) Alcobendas, Spain
Occupation	Actress, dancer, model
Years active	1999–present
Children	1
Relatives	Penélope Cruz (sister)

Mónica Cruz Sánchez (born on March 16, 1977) is a Spanish actress and dancer. She is known as the younger sister of famous actress Penélope Cruz. Mónica has starred in several films like The Inquiry (2006) and Jerry Cotton (2010). She has also appeared in many TV shows.

Early Life and Dance

Mónica Cruz was born in Alcobendas, a town near Madrid, Spain. Her mother, Encarna Sánchez, was a hairdresser, and her father, Eduardo Cruz, was a retailer. Mónica grew up in Alcobendas. She is the middle child of three. Her older sister, Penélope Cruz, is a well-known actress. Her younger brother, Eduardo, is a singer.

Both Mónica and Penélope showed great talent for dancing from a young age. They both received professional training. Mónica studied traditional ballet and flamenco at The Royal Academy of Dance.

Career in Acting and Dance

After finishing her studies, Mónica Cruz joined Joaquín Cortés' flamenco dance company. She danced with this group for seven years. In 2002, she decided to stop dancing professionally to become an actress.

Early Acting Roles

In 2005, Mónica starred in the Spanish TV show Un Paso Adelante. She played Silvia Jáuregui, a main character. She also appeared in the historical drama film The Inquiry (2006). In 2008, Mónica played Detective Rosa Mulero in the crime film Last Hour. She also had roles in films like Asterix at the Olympic Games (2008) and Jerry Cotton (2010).

Cruz at the 2018 Goya Awards

Special Roles and TV Appearances

In 2010, Mónica helped her sister Penélope during the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Penélope was pregnant, so Mónica acted as her body double for some wider shots. This was possible because they look very much alike.

Mónica also appeared in a TV commercial for the video game New Super Mario Bros. 2 in 2012. In 2017, she was in the music video for the British band Jamiroquai's song "Cloud 9". She also joined the Spanish TV series Velvet Colección, playing a flamenco dancer named Carmela Cortés. In 2021, she had a guest role in the comedy series La que se avecina.

In 2022, Mónica played Silvia Jáuregui again in UPA Next. This show is a new version of her earlier musical drama series Un paso adelante.

Fashion and Design Work

Mónica Cruz and her sister Penélope have also worked together in fashion. In 2007, they designed a clothing collection for the Spanish brand Mango. They also created jewelry and handbags for the Japanese fashion house Samantha Thavasa.

The sisters designed two collections for the Swiss retailer Charles Vögele in 2010 and 2011. In 2013, they teamed up to create a lingerie line called L'Agent for Agent Provocateur. Mónica also modeled for their campaigns. In November 2012, they signed a deal with the Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe. They appeared in ads and designed a handbag for the brand.

In 2018, Mónica launched her own jewelry collection called "Rock Star" for Majorica. A part of the money from sales helped the Fero Foundation, which supports cancer research. In 2023, Penélope announced that she and Mónica designed a collection for Geox. This collection was released in 2024.

Mónica has been on the cover of many international fashion magazines. She has also appeared in advertisements for various brands, including Betsson, Nescafe, and Majorica jewelry.

Personal Life

Mónica Cruz at her dance studio in Madrid in July 2007.

Mónica Cruz has one child, a daughter named Antonella Cruz Sánchez, who was born on May 14, 2013.

Mónica loves flamenco dancing very much. She has said that "dancing is my first passion. It teaches a wonderful discipline and that discipline stays with you. My sister and I talk all the time about how much it has helped us."

Filmography

Awards

See also

In Spanish: Mónica Cruz para niños